FIERCE FIGHTING

Wairarapa Times-Age, 30 January 1941, Page 5

FIERCE FIGHTING

ALONG WHOLE ALBANIAN FRONT

GREEKS ONLY FIVE MILES FROM VALONA.

OFFICIAL REPORT OF LOCAL SUCCESSES.

The latest Greek war eomnninique. transmitted by the 8.8. C.. report* local operations in which a number of prisoner* were taken. Two enemy aircraft were shot down by Greek- anti-aircraft fire.

There has been fierce local fighting along the whole Albanian front, another message states. In the south, the Greeks art said to be only some five miles distant from Vaiona Bay. USELESS BLOODSHED - CAVALLERO’S VAIN EFFORTS. LONDON. January 29. i The new Italian commander in ; Albania. General Cavallero. has been making desperate efforts to j do better than his predecessor. Tanks and flame-throwing cars have been used in fierce counterI attacks, but the only result has I been the copious shedding of ItaI lian blood. i j The Athens radio reports that the I Greeks smashed two big Italian attacks ' in the central sector. Greek artillery . laid down a deadly barrage under ■ which the Italians broke and tied, four ! tanks being destroyed. It is now established that the Italii ans’ desperate attempt to secure a Tardy success in Albania has completoi ly failed.

The Greeks are using blankets soaked in petrol to stem surprise tank attacks. The Greeks hide behind rocks and bushes till the tanks are almost on top of them. Then they rush out and throw the blankets, which become cntagled in the caterpillar tracks and set fire to the tanks.